Time-lock.



E. M. BENHAM.

TIME LOOK.

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

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, WITNESSES:

IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

aka 4W4 A UKtW B GRAHAM DO PHOTO LIYHOGRAPNERS WASNIN E. M. BENHAM.

TIME LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1901.

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IN VENTOR. ,%,M/ 2% /haw a.

A TTORNE Y.

B. M. BHNHAM.

TIME LOOK. APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1907.

939,384. Patented N0v.'9, 1909.

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' ing safe bolts.

UNITED sTATns PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR MORTON BENI-IAM, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO BANKERS DUST- PROOF TIME LOCK COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A PARTNERSHIP.

'IIME LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

. Application filed April 22, 1907. Serial N 0; 369,615.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR MORTON BEN- HAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Time-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mechanical means for automatically retracting the bolts of safes. Such mechanisms comprise some form of watch movement and means, actuated by that movement at a predetermined time to release the bolts or usually in prac tice to actuate another mechanism, such as described and claimed in my application for Letters Patent Serial Number 360,137 filed- March 2nd, 1907 called a device for retract- So called time-locks of this class are, to avoid looking out if one movement fails, usually made with a plurality of movements and attendant throwing means, each and all of which are adapted to operate a single means for retracting the bolts or intermediate device. It is important therefore that the single retracting means should be free tooperate whenever acted upon by any one or more of the movements, without interference from any nonacting movement and with theleast expenditure of force; This my inventionprovides for, as will hereafter appear. As the relative power delivered by any mechanisms (per fection of material and workmanship being equal) will always depend upon the number of parts and the simplicity of their arrangement; I have employed a less number of arts and a simplified arrangement con;- dusln'g to greater certainty and efli'ciency in operation. Wear and efliciency both depend largely in such delicate mechanisms, upon their being kept freefrom dust and dirt. To this end,I not'onl y inclose the device as a whole in a substantial: case, but each movement and all its attendant mechanism has all its working parts completely inclosed in a dust-proof receptacle, thebody of which is unitary. A crystal covers the movement'and discloses it to view. I place each such movement and mechanism in a separate receptacle, and the means within the devi'cefor castingthe boltsissoformed and placed that any receptacle with its contents and attachments maybe removed with out removing or aifecting any other portion of the time-lock. As each receptacle with contents and attachments is the duplicate of every other, they are interchangeable.

In my invention a dial, a smooth edged disk, is rotatively attached to the arbor of the spring and when the spring is wound, the dial turns and the characters 011* its face register the amount of winding of the spring, one full rotation of the dial effecting a full winding of the spring; there are no loose parts to be reset and each dial is wound independently of all others. A stud on the under side of thedial does the tripping also operates as a stop to prevent the movementfrom injury by being wound beyond capacity of the spring.

The advantages enumerated above, result in a more simple and complete lock, that is easier to handle, more durable. and requires less attention than any other; and no alteration of the position of the-safe,nor jarring upon it,will afi'ect my time lock. Like other such looks it is wound and set beforeclosing, and when closed there is no means of communication therewith from the outside.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1', is a front view in perspective, of my improved time lock complete, with the door of the case open. Fig. 2, is a top plan view of the empty, open case, with hinged cover broken away; Fig. 8, is a top plan viewof one empty receptacle, with actuating lever and crystal in position. Fig.- l, is an under plan view of an empty receptacle. F ig. 5, is the cap that covers the backof movement, to hold it in the receptacle. Fig. 6, is an enlarged View in side elevation, of a receptacle and attached spring case and pointer ;with one corner of the receptacle in section to show one of the cushioned threaded posts. Fig; 7,- is-the same as Fig.

6, with the receptacle and main spring in section, and the gears connecting the movement and winding arbor exposed, with other portions of the movement, the cushioned posts, etc. omitted; Fig. 8, is an underplan view' of the winding arbor, showing the hookedstud and the gear that meshes with the movement gear; Fig. 9, is a top plan View of the'same showing the double ratchet.

Fig. l-O,is a side elevation of the winding arbor, showing the hooked stud; and the gearsand sleeve on said arbor, in section.

Fig. 11, is the inner end of the spring.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the case, usually made of metal and adapted to hold the several receptacles B, each of which contains complete means for shifting the bar 0. The case A is preferably as nearly dust proof as possible, and is shown with a door A any suitable portion of which is a glass a, so that the operation of all movements can be observed without opening the door. the back to a safe door as by bolts passing through holes a and the notch 0 in the bar 0 receives and controls the trigger (not shown) used to cast the bolts or operate the intermediate bolt retracting device. Any suitable opening a in the case is adapted to admit the part actuated, and permit its movement by the bar C. The door A may be kept closed in any convenient manner, as by the catch a Each receptacle B is formed from a solid block, its sides being made smooth to minimize friction, each receptacle with its contents is independent of all others and is provided with its own threaded posts I). One of these posts pierces each corner of each receptacle, and is provided with a spring 8 above and another 8 below a shoulder 5 left in the receptacle; and the springs are suitably compressed by a washer nut s all in the usual way. The posts I) are threaded into holes a in the case, which holes are preferably surrounded by recesses a in which the washer nuts 8 seat. Each receptacle is provided with an opening 5 adapted to receive the time movement D which is protected from above by a tight fitting glass b and is secured in position from below by the plate 6, fastened in any suitable manner as by screws that enter the holes 6 The movement D is any suitable watch mechanism with the main spring and barrel omitted. The only portion of the movement that needs illustration or description is the gear (Z, pinion al and the suitably journaled shaft 03 to which they are rotatively attached. The gear meshes with escapement mechanism of a usual type (not shown) and the pinion (Z meshes with the gear 6 which is loose on the main spring arbor E. l/Vhen gear 6 is brass, the pinion is preferably of a dissimilar metal, as steel, to insure long life in the mechanism. The arbor E is journaled at the back in the spring case B which is fastened to the back of the receptacle B by screws b or otherwise. Toward the front end this arbor is journaled in the front of the receptacle. The main spring 6 is coiled within its case B around the arbor E; is fastened to the case in any convenient manner as by rivet g and has a suitable opening 6 toward The case is adapted to be secured at its inner end, which is adapted to be engaged by a hooked stud c fixed to the arbor E, so that rotation of the arbor in the proper direction will wind the spring. A disk e", having ratchet teeth 0 is fixed to the arbor in any convenient way; and is shown in the drawings pinned to a sleeve 0 which is fixed in the arbor E, by the pin c The gear 0 is kept in its proper position on the arbor by the shoulder a at the rear and the sleeve 6 and disk 0", in front. The teeth e are in size and form adapted to engage any suitable number of ratchet pawls 0 secured to the gear a by screw studs 0, and held against the teeth by springs 0 It will be seen that the ratchet and loose gear 6 permit the main spring to be wound, but prevent its unwinding except gradually through the operation of the movement. A partition Z2 pierced loosely by the arbor E divides the receptacle B from the spring case B (see Fig. 7). It will be seen that when the mechanism is in place, the delicate working parts are not exposed to dust.

lVithout, and in front of the receptacle B upon the arbor E, the outer portion of which 6 is squared for contact with a key (not shown) is a disk 0 with any suitable means of attachment to the arbor, as the extended hub 6 pierced by the set screw 6 adapted to engage the notch 0 in the arbor. The upper surface of the dial is graduated and provided with numerals to indicate hours, and when wound a fixed pointer Z1 indicates the number of hours from the time of winding before the mechanism will cause the dial to throw the bar C. The pointer is held in position in any ordinary way as resting at one point on the fixed rod Z)", and at another on the sleeve 6 pierced by the screw o threaded into the front of the receptacle. On the under side of the dial disk 6 is a stud e adapted to engage and shift a lever I), pivoted to the front of the receptacle by the screw stud b Themovement of this lever is restricted by the studs 5; and its movement into the position shown by full lines in Fig. 1, throws the bolt mechanism, by sliding the bar C. The bar 0 is seated upon a raised edge a at the inner side of the case A, said case being suitably formed with a bearing surface for the bar and said bar being held in position by the screw studs 0 which pierce the bar C through the elongated slots 0 Elongated notches c on the inner edge of the bar 0 are each adapted to receive the outer end of one of the levers 6 Any of the usual means of holding the bar until forwarded by the levers, may be employed, as the spring 0 in a hole in the .end of the bar and a plunger 0 loosely seated thereon. The dotted lines in Fig. 1 show the bar in the position maintained by the plunger and spring, before it has been actuated by the levers b".

lltl

The operation of my time lock is as follows :Assume that the movements have all run down. The bar 0 and the levers b will be in the position shown by dotted lines. Place a suitable clock key over one of the arbor stems e and wind it (ordinarily to the right) until the figures on the dial 6 representing the number of hours from the present to the desired time of action, are directly next the end of the pointer 5 This turn has wound the main spring 6 and set the watch movement and its connected mechanism in action. Each of the other move ments is then wound to the same figures on its dial. The case is closed, and it is understood that the trigger or actuating lever of the device for retracting safe bolts is resting in the notch c, in the position of the dotted lines, and that said device is set for action. \Vhen the movements have turned the dial's back to 0, each of the studs 6" will contact with its lever 6 pressing the outer end of said lever against the bar C forcing it to the left as shown in Fig. 1 to the position of full lines. The trigger of the bolt retracting device will be carried with the bar C in its movement; and said device sprung when the bar has been carried far enough.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A time-lock device embodying a watchmovement, without a motor; a rotatable arbor journaled adjacent to such movement; gears immediately connecting the two in forward movement only; and an actuating spring wound directly upon said arbor.

2. A time-lock device embodying in combination a watch-movement without an actuating motor; a rotatable arbor journaled adjacent thereto; an actuating spring wound upon said arbor; a ratchet-impelled gear upon said arbor and actuated thereby in one direction only; said gear meshing immedi ately with the receiving gear upon the watch movement.

3. A time-lock mechanism embodying in combination a watch-movement without a motor; a rotatable arbor journaled adjacent thereto; an actuating spring wound upon the same; a fixed ratchet, a loose gear adjacent thereto upon said arbor; spring-actuated pawls upon the loose gear engaging the ratchet in one direction only, and a gear upon the watch movement meshing directly with said gear upon the spring-actuated arbor.

l. A time-lock device embodying in combination, a watch-movement without an actuating motor; a rotatable arbor journaled adjacent to said watch-movement; gears connecting the two immediately in forward movement only; and a graduated disk fastened upon said arbor for regulating the degree of winding with reference to a fixed pointer.

5. A time-lock device embodying in combination, a watch-movement without an actuating motor; a rotatable arbor journaled adjacent to said watch-movement; gears connecting thetwo directly in forward movement only; and a graduated disk upon said arbor for regulating the degree of winding a fixed pionter arranged with reference to the graduations upon said disk; and a stud upon said disk to engage the bolt releasing mechanism and to act as a stop limiting excessive rotation of the disk.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDGAR MORTON BENHAM. Witnesses:

JOSEPH R. GARDNER, BENJAMIN H. EDWARDS. 

